Hydrogen Fuel Cell Boat Being Built In Alameda

ALAMEDA, CA — Construction is underway in Alameda for the Water-Go-Round, a hydrogen fuel cell boat. The 70-foot catamaran is being built by Bay Ship & Yacht Co. of Alameda. When it launches next year it will be the first fuel cell vessel in the US and the first commercial fuel cell ferry in the world.

Funding for the project comes from a $3 million grant to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

"The Air District is excited to be part of the team for the first zero-emission, hydrogen fuel-cell powered ferry project in the nation," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. "By demonstrating cutting-edge, diesel-free technology, we can showcase the benefits of these cleaner solutions which will protect public health and the environment while reducing air pollution and reliance on fossil fuel."

The Water-Go-Round is expected to launch next fall. It will operate for three months in San Francisco Bay to enable Sandia National Laboratories, a partner in the project, to independently assess performance and gather data for CARB to determine marine suitability of the technology.

Other partners will gather feedback from operators and passengers. Red and White Fleet intends to use the Water-Go-Round as the first of several vessels as it aims for a 100 percent zero-emission fleet by 2025.

Tom Escher, President of Red and White Fleet, said: "We believe the technology for all vessels to be zero pollution is here today. We are honored to be selected as the operator of the Water-Go-Round. I am convinced that the Water-Go-Round will prove the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell application on all maritime vessels. I think of the Water-Go-Round as a 'seed' and when one puts a 'seed' in water, it grows and grows and grows. I see the growth to soon include large ferry boats, crew boats, fishing boats, supply vessels, tugboats and large ocean going container ships. The Water-Go-Round is the beginning of the shift from dirty hydrocarbon maritime fuels to zero pollution hydrogen fuels. California is going to prove to the global shipping community that hydrogen fuel cells offer zero pollution for the benefit of the entire world."

On Thursday, a keel laying ceremony was held, a celebrated tradition in shipbuilding of laying down the backbone of a vessel, which is a milestone in making a ship come to life.

Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, is a full-service provider of marine power systems that are clean and quiet, and comply with all current and future environmental regulations. Dr. Joseph W. Pratt, CEO of GGZEM, said, "Today's ceremony symbolizes more than the start of construction of a single vessel, it marks the start of a new movement in the maritime community. Operators all over the world are seeing that hydrogen fuel cell electric drivetrains can provide both environmental and economic advantages. Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine and our partners are proud to be selected by California to showcase this aboard the Water-Go-Round."

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is administering the project, alongside other partners including Bay Ship & Yacht Co., BAE Systems, Hydrogenics, Red and White Fleet, Incat Crowther, Hexagon Composites, the Port of San Francisco, and Sandia National Laboratories.

Take a look at photos and a video of the Water-Go-Round Here.

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— Image via Shutterstock